Hypertension and Sodium

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It is very dangerous and very famous to be called as ‘silent killer’. The normal reading of blood pressure is 120/80. If the reading is above 140/90, it is categorized as hypertension. As reported by the Center of Disease Control, 67 million of Americans suffer with high blood pressure. In Malaysia, as been reported by Ministry of Health, 32.3% of Malaysians have hypertension. It should be treated as soon as possible to prevent complications or even death.

Source: www.planet-science.com

It is considered dangerous because sometime it does not cause any sign or symptoms. If the sign or symptoms appear, patients will feel headache or giddiness. Some doctors will advice people to check blood pressure at their clinics and people have to pay for the service. Or else, people are advised to buy home blood pressure monitor and it can be used for many times. Most of the products are easy to be used and people can read the instruction from manual.

If hypertension is not well managed, it can affect the vital organ includes kidney, brain and heart. Rapid rise of blood pressure can cause confusion, drowsiness, seizure and even death. If long term of high blood pressure, it can cause severe complications. For example; heart failure, heart attack, hardening of vessels, kidney failure, damage to light-sensitive area of eyes, stroke and even death. The causes of hypertension are kidney disease, drugs, genetic factors, alcohol intake, dietary and smoking. But the most common reason is dietary, sodium. Excessive intake of sodium can elevate blood pressure. Sodium holds extra fluid in the body, putting stress on heart, increase blood volume and blood pressure.

In early stage, dietitians play a vital role in preventing the severity of hypertension. In most study, patients with systolic blood pressure of 130-139 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of 80-89 mmHg should be given lifestyle/behavioral therapy alone for a maximum of 3 months and then, if target are not achieved, should be treated pharmacologically. The common groups of anti-hypertensive drugs taken by patients are alpha-blockers, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers and vasodilators. However, drugs should be prescribed if lifestyle/behavioral therapy is failed or considered as unsuccessful.

According to ATP III, patients with high blood pressure should take sodium chloride less than 6g or less than 2400mg of sodium per day. Study has shown that sodium reduction was associated with 41% reduction in incidence of hypertension. Further reduction is recommended for patients with congestive heart failure. According to American Dietary Guideline, 2010, the intake of sodium should be less than 2300mg per day. However, average adults eat about 3400mg of sodium per day. Avoid food with high sodium and processed products. Most processed products contain high amount of sodium for making the products tastier. Aim for foods that are less than 5% of Recommended Daily Value or less than 140mg of sodium per serving.

Examples of common food that contain high amount of sodium are;

Dried salted prawn (1 tablespoon) – 255mg Na

Beef burger patty (1 piece) – 309mg Na

Potato chips (50g) – 356mg Na

Baked bean (1 cup) – 365mg Na

Salted fish (1 piece) – 433mg Na

Roti canai (1 piece) – 509mg Na

Chicke rice (1 plate) – 702mg Na

Nasi Lemak (1 plate) – 777mg Na

Papadam (1 piece) – 857mg Na

Cheeseburger (1 whole) – 864mg Na

Cincaluk (1 tablespoon) – 897mg

Rojak (1 plate) – 901mg Na

Curry mee (1 bowl) – 2456mg Na

Salted vegetables (1 cup) – 2763mg Na

Some foods such as fast food burger contain more than 100% of sodium that we need in a day. It is important to know the sodium content of your food before you eat. Sodium can be sneaky. Although sodium is a part of important mineral, but people do not need it much. Back to basic, take sodium in moderate amount and if possible, take it less than 1 level of teaspoon of salt.

References:

Medical Nutrition Therapy Guidelines For Hypertension, Ministry of Health Malaysia.

Suzana S, Azlinda A, Hin S L, Khor W H, Zahara Z, Sa’ida Munira J & Norliza M. (2011). Influence of Food Intake and Eating Habits on Hypertension Control among Outpatients at a Government Health Clinic in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Mal J Nutr 17(2): 163-173